NYC man pleads guilty to promoting prostitution

NEW YORK - A New York City man pleaded guilty to promoting three teenage girls as prostitutes on Backpage.com, a website later seized by the federal government.

Prosecutors say 46-year-old Whetsel Wade posted photos of the girls, ages 13, 15 and 17 on the website, and would set up meetings in apartments or hotels for the girls to have sex with men for money.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said Wade exploited and abused vulnerable young girls and is finally being held responsible for his acts.

He will face five to 10 years in prison. He pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Last month, federal authorities took down Backpage.com, a classified ad website whose listings include sexual services. The site founders face federal charges of facilitating prostitution and money laundering, according to an indictment.

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